This story starts like many of my USA adventures do: playing around on Google maps. As I routed my road trip from SLC to Yellowstone through the lovely (and underrated) state of Idaho, I noticed a peculiar and unexpected green patch amid the prairies. The discovery of Craters of The Moon National Monument came as a total shock. Interestingly enough, I chose to forgo the photo search allowing my mind to run wild in the lead-up and slated a blind pitstop. The result? A terrain and travel experience I couldn’t have dreamed up.
For fifteen miles prior to the Craters of the Moon park entrance, lava rocks swallowed the classic plains landscape of Idaho that often gives that state a bad rap. From that point, the shrinking miles on my Google map became a bubbling countdown of thrill. When it comes to exploring the otherworldly travel gem that is Craters of The Moon National Monument in Idaho, you can legit walk on massive sparkly lava cones, peep inside long-extinct mini volcanos and wander into lava tubes (aka sci-fi caves.)
HISTORY AROUND CRATERS OF THE MOON & CENTRAL IDAHO
The drive leading up to the gates itself truly is a treat in its own right. Something cool about road tripping around Idaho is that there are tons are roadside historical marker signs. And I'm not talking those weird little metal plaques commemorating an old farm from the 1800s. These are big ole' beautiful billboard-style signs with painted stories. Along route 20, cutting right through the state, you'll find a fun sampling of signs to put you in the right headspace of the American settlers on a voyage toward the west.
This pass is perched along the northern rim of the Snake River, an area that pioneers traveling near the Oregon Trail could flee from violent clashes with the native American tribes who resided near the river. The harsh terrain made the voyage in a wagon next to impossible to imagine. Seriously: picture a gang of settlers wheeling along the desert plains only to arrive at pre-historic lava flows???
Thousands of years prior to these pioneer passings, there were eight massive volcanic eruptions that formed what we now know at Craters of the Moon National Monument. This wild geologic activity created lava fields that stretch for 52 miles in the middle of Idaho. How's that for an epic road trip stop?
WHAT TO EXPECT WHILE EXPLORING CRATERS OF THE MOON
As you wander into Craters of the Moon, you'll find yourself perched in the middle of vast dormant lava formations. You'll first see the campgrounds which would quite possibly lead to the most extra-terrestrial night stay of your life. The absolutely coolest way to experience this park is by staying at the campground, surrounding yourself with all its volcanic splendor. The park is also an International Dark Sky Park; need I say more? Dogs are allowed in the campgrounds on a leash but not in the park buildings or trails unless it's a service dog.
From here the park's scenic loop road is perfect for a day of site-seeing - by car, bike, foot, or even cross-country ski. The loop itself clocks in at seven miles, making for a doable distance to explore.
CAN’T MISS ACTIVITIES AROUND THE PARK
The park is littered with sparkly cinder cones and caves that are the last remnants of the ancient Idaho volcanoes. The Inferno Cone trail flaunts epic panoramic views of Crate of the Moon from above. Hiking up this crunchy, stark black cone is unlike anything you could imagine experiencing in America. The wind at the top of the tallest cone is absolutely insane. While a whopping 700 feet in elevating today, was well over 1,000 back in its hay day.
From the Inferno Cone, head to the Splatter cones and peer into what remains of the tiny little volcanoes. In the height of the summer temps, there was still snow hiding in the shadows of the cone. Oh, the strangeness of finding snow in an extinct volcano.
Next up for the adventurers in Craters of the Moon is caving. There are a handful of lava tubes and caves to explore depending on your thrill level or lack of claustrophobia. The caves at Craters of The Moon bring the park to the next level when it comes to a unique and unexpected travel experience in Idaho.
Forget Iceland or Mars, exploring Craters of the Moon National Monument is an absolute must-do Idaho road trip destination that's adventured stretch from infinity and beyond.
